The King of Malaysia, the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong
Watch the King receive his honorary doctorate
The King of Malaysia was honoured by Queen’s University Belfast, when the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong was awarded an honorary degree by Queen’s President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Gregson at the Istana Melawati Putrajaya Palace, Kuala Lumpur.The award ceremony was the highlight of a week-long visit to Malaysia by Queen’s and is the first time in its 160 year history the University has conferred an honorary degree on a reigning monarch.
Queen’s University has honoured the King because of his support for higher education and the links his country has shared with Queen’s over the last 50 years.
Accepting the honorary degree, the King of Malaysia said: “I am delighted to accept this award from Queen’s University Belfast. You honour me, but you also honour the people of Malaysia.
“This award has special significance for me because so many of my fellow Malaysians have chosen, and continue to choose, Queen’s University Belfast as their academic home from home.
“It is with great pride that I stand here today as King of a country that has the largest number of Queen’s alumni outside the UK and Ireland. I hope our educational partnerships will reinforce the ties between our two countries. We are rightly proud of our histories, our contribution to culture across the world and our contribution to global trade and industry.”
Following the ceremony Professor Gregson said: “This is truly momentous for Queen’s University, and reinforces the special relationship between Malaysia and Northern Ireland. Queen’s welcomes the support the King gives to this special relationship and we are keen to further develop this bond for the mutual benefit of both countries.
Supporting Queen’s international strategy and attending the prestigious event, Northern Ireland Minister for Employment and Learning, Sir Reg Empey said: “It is through sharing skills and expertise at home and abroad that we can further develop successful partnerships for the greater good. I welcome the opportunity this gives to promote the international strategies of our local universities and I fully support the collaborations between them and universities in a wide range of countries, including Malaysia. Through such collaborations, important research breakthroughs are made and Queen’s University must be congratulated for sharing its knowledge and skills with like-minded institutions on the global stage.”